The Old Man Under the Big Tree

The black-robed youth walking at the front, Mu En, appeared to be only twelve years old, yet his soul power fluctuations were already at the level of a four-ring Soul Ancestor.

Back in his own day, he had only been a three-ring Soul Elder at that age, a realization that couldn't help but make Mu En sigh inwardly.

The gaze the boy turned toward him carried a sense of peace and clarity that seemed to see through the ages, as if all of Mu En's disguises were laid bare before him.

What shocked him even more was that his own martial soul, the Radiant Sacred Dragon, had instantly produced a sense of extreme awe and submission from the depths of its soul the moment it saw this youth, as if the brand within its bloodline had encountered a supreme ancestor.

The silver-haired little girl beside him appeared cold and ethereal, her soul power also at the four-ring level, and Mu En could sense a vast, boundless aura of life emanating from her.

It was a law of creation that stood above all living things; even the slightest, imperceptible leak of it made his heart and mind tremble.

Then there was the golden-haired little girl, dainty and spirited, who seemed unremarkable at first glance, yet Mu En could feel an extreme aura of fortune swirling around her—a unique, auspicious presence found nowhere else in heaven or earth.

Merely standing near her made the surrounding heaven and earth spiritual energy feel more active, and even his own long-standing hidden injuries showed faint signs of easing.

Finally, the black-haired youth, the youngest at only ten years old, already possessed over twenty levels of soul power, but what was truly terrifying was his mental power; it was vast beyond imagination, an extreme spiritual attribute that even Mu En couldn't help but admire.

More importantly, he could sense that this youth's fate line seemed to possess a strange and profound connection.

Every one of these four children was stunningly talented and unfathomable. Even in his nearly two hundred years of life, Mu En had never seen such peculiar youths.

Mu En's gaze finally settled on Gu Yuan, a flash of intense scrutiny and vigilance crossing his eyes. He was certain that this youth was the core of the four, and the one he found most impossible to see through.

Gu Yuan had long since noticed Mu En beneath the tree.

In his memories of the future, he held immense admiration for this Dragon God Douluo. Mu En had lived a life of integrity, dedicating his all to Shrek Academy with a heart for the world; even in his high position, he had always held fast to his original intentions, making him a truly respectable elder.

Even though he stood on the opposite side of Tang San, he could only feel admiration for this man, even if he was technically an opponent.

"Yuhao, accompany me to go say hello." Gu Yuan turned his head and said softly to Huo Yuhao beside him.

Huo Yuhao was stunned for a moment, then followed his gaze to the old man under the tree, looking somewhat puzzled: "Brother Yuan, who is that old grandfather?"

He could feel that while the old man looked ordinary, there was an indescribable weight to him, like a bottomless mountain.

"A senior worthy of respect." Gu Yuan smiled and led Huo Yuhao slowly toward the Huangjue Tree.

Gu Yuena held Jin Ruiqiu by the hand, following quietly behind without stepping forward to disturb them.

Watching the two walk toward him, a flash of surprise crossed Mu En's eyes, though he quickly resumed his lazy demeanor, half-closing his eyes again as if he were merely an ordinary old man basking in the sun.

Arriving before the rattan chair, Gu Yuan bowed slightly to Mu En, his tone gentle and respectful: "Greetings, Senior."

Huo Yuhao hurriedly followed suit, bowing earnestly and calling out crisply: "Junior Huo Yuhao, greetings, Senior."

Mu En slowly opened his eyes, looking at the two youths before him. A hint of a smile appeared in his cloudy eyes as he waved a hand, his voice raspy and aged: "No need for such formalities, little ones. I'm just an old man watching the gate; I don't deserve such respect."

"Senior is too modest," Gu Yuan straightened up and said with a smile. "Within the academy, all are teachers and elders. Furthermore, Senior has lived a life of integrity, dedicating your all to the academy and the soul master world of the continent. As a junior, it is only right that I pay my respects."

At these words, Mu En's pupils contracted slightly, and his gaze toward Gu Yuan turned sharp.

He lived here as an ordinary old man; aside from the core members of the Sea God Pavilion, few in the entire academy knew his true identity.

Yet this twelve-year-old youth had spoken of his life's work in a single sentence, appearing to know his past like the back of his hand.

"Little one, you certainly know quite a bit." Mu En's voice remained raspy, but it now carried a hint of scrutiny.

"Who are you? Where do you come from?"

"This junior comes from the Douluo Hall, and I have brought my companions to Shrek Academy to seek knowledge," Gu Yuan answered candidly, without the slightest concealment.

"I have long heard that Shrek Academy is a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers reside. Seeing you today, Senior, it is truly well-deserved."

"Douluo Hall..." Mu En muttered to himself, his understanding deepening.

No wonder these children were so extraordinary; so they came from that place.

He looked at Gu Yuan, feeling more shocked the longer he stared. The youth was only twelve, yet his speech and conduct were as steady as an old monster who had lived for thousands of years. The clarity and depth in his eyes were something even he could not fathom in the slightest.

More importantly, he could feel that this youth truly held no malice toward him, only pure admiration, which caused much of his vigilance to dissipate.

"The youths of the Douluo Hall are indeed extraordinary." Mu En smiled, his gaze falling on Huo Yuhao to the side.

Seeing the clarity in his eyes, he grew more satisfied: "This little one, Spirit Eye martial soul, extreme spiritual attribute, and already level 23 soul power at such a young age—a fine seedling."

Praised by the senior, Huo Yuhao's cheeks flushed red. He hurriedly scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed: "Senior is too kind, I still have much to learn."

"Humility is a virtue, but don't lose your edge," Mu En said with a smile, offering encouragement.

"Shrek Academy is a cradle for geniuses and a battlefield for the brave. The future of the continent belongs to you young people."

"Thank you, Senior! This junior will certainly work hard!" Huo Yuhao immediately straightened his back and replied earnestly, his heart filled with excitement.

He could feel that the senior's words came from the heart, like a gentle elder giving advice to his own juniors.

Watching this scene, a smile also flickered in Gu Yuan's eyes. He knew that Mu En had already taken an interest in Huo Yuhao; even without the original trajectory, this Dragon God Douluo still held a fondness for the child.

After chatting with Mu En for a few more moments, Gu Yuan took Huo Yuhao and rose to take his leave, not wishing to disturb him further.

After all, Mu En was advanced in years and preferred peace and quiet.

As they were leaving, Mu En looked at Gu Yuan's retreating back and suddenly spoke up, calling out to him: "Little one."

Gu Yuan stopped and turned around, looking at him with a puzzled expression.

Mu En looked at him, a profound meaning flashing in his cloudy eyes, and said slowly: "Shrek Academy welcomes all geniuses. But remember, this place will never tolerate those with ill intent."

Hearing this, Gu Yuan smiled faintly and nodded slightly: "Rest assured, Senior, this junior understands. We come here only to seek knowledge, nothing more."

After saying this, he turned with Huo Yuhao and returned to the side of Gu Yuena and Jin Ruiqiu.

The guide student standing to the side had been waiting in a state of nervous trepidation; how could he not know that the old man under the tree was the pillar of Shrek Academy, the venerable Elder Mu En?

Seeing that Gu Yuan was actually able to converse so pleasantly with the old pavilion master, he held the four of them in even greater awe and reverence.

"I will take you to your dormitories," the guide student said respectfully, leading the four of them into the core dormitory area.

The core dormitory area consisted of exquisite, detached small courtyards. White walls and dark tiles were nestled among green trees and blooming flowers, with each courtyard spaced far apart to ensure absolute privacy and quiet.

"This is the dormitory the academy has arranged for you," the guide student said with a smile, pointing to the four adjacent courtyards before them.

"Each courtyard is independent and fully equipped. The cultivation room even contains a Spirit Gathering Array to increase your cultivation speed. Are the four of you satisfied?"

Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up as he looked at the exquisite courtyard before him. Having grown up living in the most remote woodshed, he had never stayed in such a fine place.

Jin Ruiqiu skipped and hopped directly into the courtyard, looking at the swing inside and swaying on it happily.

Gu Yuan looked at the four courtyards, pondered for a moment, and said to the guide student, "May I ask if it is possible to make an adjustment? There are four of us; it would be fine for us to live two to a room. We don't need this many courtyards."

The guide student was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, "Of course! You may arrange it however you wish, honored guests! The dormitories in the core area can be adjusted freely."

He was secretly surprised; other students would break their heads trying to get a detached courtyard, yet these people actually wanted to share. However, he dared not ask further and quickly produced the dormitory keys, waiting for their decision.

Gu Yuan turned to the three of them and said with a smile, "Living together allows us to look out for one another, and we can discuss any problems we encounter during cultivation."

Though Gu Yuan said this, he was merely worried that if they lived separately, the people of Shrek Academy might try to probe Jin Ruiqiu and Huo Yuhao. Under his and Gu Yuena's watchful eyes, even if they wanted to, they wouldn't have the ability.

Gu Yuena nodded slightly, her voice devoid of objection: "That is fine."

Her thoughts aligned with Gu Yuan's, and with a lively character like Jin Ruiqiu around, their monotonous life could be a bit more interesting.

Jin Ruiqiu also hopped about, saying happily, "I want to live with Sister Yue!"

Huo Yuhao nodded quickly as well, his face full of joy.

And so, the four of them quickly settled the matter. Gu Yuan and Huo Yuhao would live in the eastern courtyard, while Gu Yuena and Jin Ruiqiu would occupy the adjacent western courtyard.

The guide student hurriedly handed the corresponding keys to the four of them, carefully explained the rules of the dormitory area, as well as the start date and precautions for new students, before respectfully taking his leave.

The sunset faded completely, and the night curtain gradually shrouded Shrek Academy.

In Gu Yuan and Huo Yuhao's courtyard, the lights were bright. Huo Yuhao paced back and forth in the courtyard in excitement, his eyes filled with starlight as he looked at the spacious cultivation room.

"I never imagined I could live in such a wonderful place, or that I could come to study at Shrek Academy." Huo Yuhao turned around, looking at Gu Yuan with eyes full of gratitude.

Gu Yuan smiled and ruffled his hair, his tone gentle: "The path is one you walk yourself. If not for your resilient nature, even with countless opportunities, you would not have reached this day. The road ahead is still long; how far you go depends entirely on yourself."

Huo Yuhao nodded heavily, clenching his fists with an incredibly firm gaze: "Don't worry, Brother Yuan! I will certainly not let your expectations down. I will cultivate diligently and become stronger!"

Gu Yuan looked at the light in his eyes and nodded with satisfaction.

It was a good thing that Huo Yuhao had this drive; in his future plans, the stronger Huo Yuhao was, the greater the role he could play.

He walked to the window and looked out at the night, his gaze piercing through layers of buildings and landing on a new student dormitory in the outer courtyard.

There, a youth with short pink hair and exquisite features was tidying up his luggage, frowning in confusion as he looked at the dusty room and the empty bed across from him.

She was the daughter of Tang the Ancestor, Wang Dong, currently disguised as a boy. She should have met the bond of her life today.

But now, because of Gu Yuan's intervention, the trajectory of fate had shifted completely.

Huo Yuhao had not moved into the original new student dormitory, nor had he met Wang Dong. The threads of fate that should have intertwined were, from this moment on, heading in entirely different directions.

A faint smile curled the corners of Gu Yuan's mouth.